N. Korea’s Kim in Russia for Putin talks as US warns on arms deal

September 12, 2023
 AFP
By Claire Lee and Cat Barton Seoul, South Korea — North Korea’s Kim Jong Un was in Russia on a rare overseas visit Tuesday ahead of a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, sparking warnings from Washington over a possible arms deal for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Wearing a black suit and flanked by uniformed defence […]
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Court clears Ressa, Rappler of tax charges

September 12, 2023
Philippine Nobel laureate Maria Ressa was acquitted Tuesday of her final tax evasion charge, the latest legal victory for the veteran journalist as she battles to stay out of prison. Ressa smiled as the judge delivered the verdict in a case that has dragged on for nearly five years. The 59-year-old, who won a Nobel […]
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US signs off on transfer of funds to Iran in prisoner deal

September 12, 2023
 AFP
By Shaun TANDON Washington, United States — The United States confirmed Monday it had signed off on the transfer of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds from South Korea, paving the way for five US citizens to leave Tehran. The archenemies announced last month, after protracted negotiations, a deal in which the US citizens were […]
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International organization sees Philippines growing 5.9% in 2023

September 12, 2023
The Philippine economy will likely post a slower growth of 5.9 percent in 2023, compared to the 46-year high of 7.6 percent in 2022 amid weaker external demand, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said Tuesday. AMRO, an international organization that carries out macroeconomic surveillance in the ASEAN+3 region and is composed of the 10 […]
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Rice price cap off after 2 weeks

September 11, 2023
The government may lift the price caps imposed on regular and well-milled rice after two weeks and allow market forces to determine the right pricing for the staple, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said Monday. At the same time, Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, who was quoted earlier as saying he was shocked by […]
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Diokno, economists in favor of Balisacan taking over Agri post

September 11, 2023
Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and private sector economists are in favor of seeing National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary Arsenio Balisacan lead the Department of Agriculture. Diokno, the head of the economic team, said it was a “sound proposal.” “He [Balisacan] has heard it many times, and Arsi’s undergrad degree is in Agriculture Economics,” […]
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Envoy says US, PH military officials planning fresh large-scale exercises

September 11, 2023
Senior Philippine and US military officials are scheduled to meet in the coming days in Manila to discuss assistance programs and large-scale exercises, US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said Monday. In her speech during the commissioning ceremony of two Philippine Navy patrol vessels, Carlson said the meeting is part of the annual Mutual […]
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DTI: Fuel subsidies dealt within 2 days; Diesel up by 40c/liter, gasoline by 20c

September 11, 2023
The Department of Transportation said it will distribute P3 billion in fuel subsidies to 1.36 million public utility vehicle drivers nationwide affected “within the next 2 days, the latest would be September 15.” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the subsidy will help PUV drivers and operators following nine straight weeks of oil price increases. Diesel […]
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PBBM marks dad’s 106th birthday with vow for better public service

September 11, 2023
In celebrating his father’s 106th birth anniversary, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. vowed to honor his father’s memory through public service. In a brief speech after a mass celebrating his late father’s birth anniversary, President Marcos said that his father served as his mentor and gave him guidance whenever things got tough. “I think the best […]
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Gloria prodding Rody back into politics, says Go

September 11, 2023
Former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo prodded former President Rodrigo Duterte to be active again in politics, Senator Christopher Go disclosed on Monday. Arroyo’s photo with Duterte made the rounds on social media two days after she also posted a photo of her with former Vice President Leni Robredo on Saturday. “I recently had […]
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